Libraries in Davis County got an unusual amount of attention from the press this year when books about gay parenting were removed from school shelves. The drama that unfolded over “In Our Mother’s House,” showcased the concerns of two groups that are very important in our community Р civil rights activists and parents. It also reminded me how important libraries have been to my own education, and how vital our continued support of them is even in this changing technological time.

Last week, The Davis County Library celebrated its new home in the county administration building. The new headquarters library has space for thousands of books, but also for eight more computers, CDs, DVDs and much more. In this edition, the Clipper reports that the new building is truly awesome, especially in comparison with the old building.

That structure was small and cramped and had a reputation for being awfully uncomfortable. The new structure is filled with large picture windows and includes a new children’s section for storytime, an auditorium and grand piano and a young adult section filled with bistro-style tables and chairs.

Books made of paper and cardboard are becoming less common throughout our community, but the hunger for both stories and reliable information seems to continue growing. Libraries remain relevant, and deserve our support in the form of taxpayer funding, charitable giving, volunteering and community advocacy.

This statement may seem odd in an age when you can find out almost anything with a Google or Wikipedia search, but those fantastic resources lack vital components: context, balance and reliability. Librarians are trained for six years to provide these components, and can likely help search more quickly and effectively than you could on your own. These public servants are on hand to help you free of charge, so you can learn regardless of your personal economic situation.

All federal, state and local political candidates I have met recently have discussed ways to improve education for children and young adults. Public libraries should also be part of that discussion, because they provide educational opportunities for all residents.